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The Sprout
Frosted holly
The newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Issue 133 December 2018
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The Sprout
Issue 133, December 2018
Contents
3 Letters to the Editor
9 Remembrance Sunday
11 Branches …
13 … and Bridges needing help
15 Foodbank ‘MBE’
19 Gaisford Connection
21 Nest-boxes in Raleigh Park
23 Warm Homes Discount!
25 Meet Nat Merry
29 Friends of Raleigh Park
33 Planning Applications
35 Brownies Remember
37 Medical Practice Update
40 Randoms
41 Christmas Church Services
43 Local Organizations
From the Editor
Christmas is rushing towards us via all available media, encouraging us to
welcome this opportunity to renew family connections, overeat, and watch
festive films on TV. To get yourselves in the mood, you could try browsing
this month’s Sprout, starting with Riki Therivel’s evocative cover picture.
Letters (p.3) includes a plea for a leisure centre in Botley, and another
heartfelt tribute to Eleanor, the ‘Botley bag lady.’ An affecting item on
Remembrance Sunday 2018 (p.9) marks the 100th anniversary of the end
of the Great War. On page 15, the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire presents
a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to the heroes of Oxford Food Bank,
who have now launched the massive Christmas Dinner gala and are
looking for helpers (p.41). Then there are profiles of the Gaisford brothers
who cut hair on Elms Parade in earlier years (p.19), and Nat Merry, the head
coach for the Oxford Archers (p.25). Usefully, Citizens Advice flags up the
Warm Homes Discount, a single payment to help with electricity bills for
low-income people (p.23) and there’s also a substantial update from the
Practice Manager of the Botley Medical Centre and Kennington Health
Centre, dealing with some vexatious problems to do with staff–patient
communications and with repeat prescriptions (p.23). Christmas Church
Services are listed on page 41. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to
all our readers! Ag MacKeith
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Letters to the Editor
Vale Spending on Leisure
Most editions of The Sprout include something about the Louie Memorial
Fields and I am at a loss to know why so much attention is paid to this
project, as, in fact, there are those in Botley who don’t even know where
it is.
Why should anyone want to spend £1.2 million on an outdoor area when
a desperately needed Leisure Centre with gymnasiums, exercise rooms,
swimming pool, boxing ring and community café has not been
considered. When the public were originally asked for their input into the
development of the area I put this at the top of my wish list, as Botley is
very much the poor relation when it comes to providing things for the
whole spectrum of ages. This could save so many youngsters from
getting into trouble, it would give them a sense of self worth and
achievement, and the pool and café would be for everyone.
Now that Botley seems to be a Mecca for tearing down family homes and
building blocks of flats in their place, plus Tilbury Lane estate and the new
Elms Rise Estate, obviously more families are moving in. There is nothing
here but the Fogwell playing area, no good when wet. The Louie
Memorial Fields are also no good when weather is bad.
Everyone needs a focussed centre. Abingdon has the wonderful Tilbury
Leisure Centre. Why has it not been considered here? Can someone
please tell me ?
Gill Belcher
The Sprout asked some of the people involved to explain the thinking behind
the Louie Memorial project, and this came back from Emmett Casley, Chair
of the Louie Memorial Pavilion Trust and Caroline Potter, Chair of NHPC
Recreation and Amenities Committee:
“The redevelopment plans for Louie Memorial Playing Fields have a long
history including some false starts. The increased coverage in the Sprout
reflects the growing momentum and excitement that many in the
community feel at finally seeing something happening.
Both Vale District Council and North Hinksey Parish Council have done
extensive reviews of leisure facilities in the area. The parish already has
a gym, exercise rooms and a swimming pool available to the public at
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Brookes Sport Botley (Harcourt Hill campus); a new leisure centre that
directly competes with these would struggle to get planning permission.
A gym and multiplex cinema were part of Doric’s original proposal for the
West Way Shopping Centre redevelopment, but they were dropped in
favour of more shops and accommodation. The new Community Hub
being built in the West Way development will be a focus for indoor sports
and leisure activities in that part of the parish, with community cafés
Manna and Branches Youth Café already operating at the shops.
The Louie Memorial Playing Fields and Pavilion are the only parish-
owned leisure facilities. They provide a focus for outdoor community
activities including children’s play, recreational walking, football clubs,
Scouts groups, North Hinksey Youth Club, and the popular summertime
pop-up cafés. No plans as yet for a boxing ring (though we remain open
to all suggestions!), but a new building alongside the MUGA and other
play/exercise equipment will increase its presence as one of the main
community centres in the area. If you don’t know where it is, head to the
top of Elms Rise estate and look next door to Matthew Arnold School –
no doubt you’ll see plenty of walkers, young people and families enjoying
the fresh air and the view! Fogwell Road play area is in Cumnor parish,
as are the Dean Court playground and the Multi Use Games Area behind
St Andrews Church, also along the Eynsham road.
Meeting Eleanor
I would like to say a heartfelt Thank you to Mary Squires for her [article in
the October Sprout] on Eleanor Bolton (the bag lady).
As a resident in Botley for the past 15 years, I had on several occasions
seen Eleanor walking along the Botley Road – laden with plastic bags,
her head low. If I was fortunate enough to gain eye to eye contact I would
smile and say “Hi” – she would return a smile, love her! I did wonder
what her story was. My son said she was rich and had a home.
What a pleasure to read Eleanor’s [own] account [in Mary Squires’s
article]: “My mind wanders. I don’t stay on the right wavelength well. I
think the best teachers and communicators are those who connect well
with their pupils or hearers.”
I was particularly drawn to these words. My mind wandered too,
especially at school when my teachers would talk, talk, talk. I’d want to
be immersed in nature, feeling the breeze on my face, smelling the
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beautiful flowers and the rain on hot dry concrete. It would be my mind
and spirit that would want to wander.
As a trained Early Years professional I have been so blessed to work with
so many children and their families. Thankfully the Early Years
curriculum is laid back and children are able to have freedom to explore
and go inside and outside when they choose. We have time to listen
intently to their stories and questions. If only education could be like this
until age 7 – or 17! Thankfully I am not a teacher, having worked briefly
in school reception classes it breaks my heart that at age 4 children don’t
have the time to talk. The teachers talk, talk, talk and so much listening
is expected from these youngsters.
Well, I have come to an end of working in Nurseries and schools after 22
years and I am taking the wise advice from my sister in Christ, Eleanor. I
will accept my situation and ‘Trust in God,’ to whom thanks be for Eleanor
Bolton and Mary Squires. [signed] Ms C D Marsh
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Botley’s
beautiful trees
The Sprout is
making a record of
local trees that have
been the subject of
a Tree Preservation
Order.
Here’s a beech tree
at the top of
Montagu road near
the subway. It’s in a
Westminster Way
garden, and it is
currently threatened
by development
proposals.
Send us your
photos, tree-lovers!
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Remembrance Sunday 11th November 2018
Many years ago, as a very young
President of Botley Women’s’
Institute (WI), I was approached
by Mr Norman Mansfield, the then
Chairman of North Hinksey Parish
Council to ask if it would be
possible for Botley WI to provide
refreshments for the community
and visiting dignitaries after the
Remembrance Sunday service in
Botley Cemetery. Following
consultation with the committee,
this yearly ritual came into being.
Sunday 11th November 2018 was no exception. It was an
auspicious day when, as a community, we came together to
celebrate 100 years since the armistice was signed. A War to end
all Wars, they said at the time. Prayers were said, poems written
by the soldiers of the First World War were read, and hymns were
sung.
For me the most memorable part of the service was when a very
smart young man stepped up to the microphone to read a poem. It
later transpired he was the Head Boy of my old school (Matthew
Arnold). He was very tall and I would hazard a guess that he was
seventeen or eighteen years old. I looked at him and then I glanced
at the surrounding gravestones of boys who would have been his
age when they left their homes to fight for their country. It was
something like two worlds colliding. The past coming up to meet
the future. The sky was a perfect blue, I looked up and watched
the birch trees blowing in the wind and the sun was shining.
The photograph shows a poppy wreath made by the ladies of
Botley WI at their craft evening.
Jenny Holloway, Secretary, Botley WI
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Branches Café Winter Warmer
Branches Café is a social enterprise, serving the community with young
people at its heart. We had fun in November with a Hallowe’en party and
the young people made ghoulish treats including peppermint eyeballs!
Members of the social enterprise met on 27 November to hear about the
successes and challenges ahead and to give their views about what they
want from Branches in 2019.
We launched our new Branches menu, offering Burritos to all and shaking
it up a bit for young people by introducing milkshakes, new smoothie
flavours & pancakes. Pop in and try our new breakfast and lunch menus,
check out our Facebook page @Branchescafe for any specials.
Branches extends a warm welcome to all this Festive season. Come in
for some Christmas Cheer and make sure to book your table by calling
01865 251115 for a Christmas menu with a Twist, festive cakes and hot
chocolates with sparkly marshmallows from the 1st December. Keep an
eye on our social media for our detailed Christmas menu and daily
specials. Open Saturdays 9–3pm on 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd December.
For those with a creative streak, we will have opportunities to create a
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unique Christmas tree, design cards, and make Christmas decorations
and wreaths, after school every day 3.30pm–5pm.
Branches will be closed to give our volunteers a well-deserved break from
24 Dec–1st Jan 2019 and we reopen on 2nd Jan. Branches wishes you
and yours many good things ahead in 2019.
Services for families and young people come at a
cost. Can you help by making a donation?
Over the past year Botley Bridges and Branches Café have been
supporting children, young people and families in the local area. Could
you help them with a donation?
Give to Botley Bridges by visiting https://www.botleybridges.org/donate/
or drop a donation in to Branches Café, entrance opposite the Co-Op.
Highlights at Botley Bridges include
• Three weekly drop in sessions for parents and carers that create
a strong, supportive community and enable parents to develop
their children’s physical and emotional wellbeing.
• Summer in the Park play sessions
• Courses for parents, to support positive parenting and healthy
children
• Classes for parents with English as a second language and
• Paediatric first aid courses
Since April 2018, 247 families have accessed services. Costs are kept
as low as possible. Some courses are free to families, especially those
on low incomes. To provide this local service the Trustees employee a
Coordinator and there are also rental costs.
Highlights at Branches Café include
• Drop in sessions for young people aged 12+ after school, with
support on hand to meet their needs
• 12 volunteers gained Food Safety qualifications
• 10 Young Leaders gaining skills and work experience
All income generated in Branches Café and through fundraising supports
youth work. Branches is a not-for-profit organisation. To see how
Branches is serving the community, visit www.branchesyouth.uk. They
have our young people at heart. Sue Dowe and Diane Long
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‘MBE’ for Food Bank
The Oxford Food Bank had a very special visitor to its base in Botley on
Friday 9th November. The Lord
Lieutenant, Tim Stevenson,
arrived in full dress uniform to
present this well-known charity
with the Queen’s Award for
Voluntary Services, an award
which he described as ‘the MBE
for volunteers’.
The Lord Lieutenant was greeted
by the manager, Cathy Howard,
who introduced him to the
volunteers present, after which
the chair of the trustees, Paul
Medley, welcomed him.
The Lord Lieutenant said he was
'particularly delighted to be here
today to present this award to the
Oxford Food Bank. In my opinion
you should have been honoured in this way some years ago, in
recognition of the work you have been doing. The Queen’s Award for
Voluntary Services is specifically for charities that are volunteer-led. The
Oxford Food Bank, with over 100 volunteers to collect and deliver
quantities of food daily, fits perfectly.’ Receiving the award on behalf of
all the volunteers, Malcolm Hope, an active volunteer for many years,
said: ‘I have never received an award before. I’d always harboured the
dream of being presented with the FA cup, but this is so much better as
it represents everything the Oxford Food Bank has worked for since it
began in 2009. I’m proud to be part of such a great team; The Oxford
Food Bank is such a joyful enterprise and brings huge benefits to the
community.’
To mark the occasion the Lord Lieutenant was joined by two of his deputy
Lieutenants, Poul Christensen and Sir Charles Ponsonby, and the High
Sheriff, Richard Venables.
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Everyone then enjoyed an afternoon tea of sandwiches and cake,
prepared and served by volunteers and, typically for The Oxford Food
Bank, using ingredients that would otherwise have gone to waste. The
Oxford Food Bank collects fresh, unsold food from supermarkets and
wholesalers, then delivers it to charities which cook meals for the
community. This stops about 450 tonnes of fruit, vegetables, dairy and
bakery from going to waste each year, and supports upwards of 100
charities and community groups. Find out more on The Oxford Food
Bank’s Facebook page.
Cathy Howard
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Gaisford Connection
The article about the Howse clock mentioned the
original names over the shops on Elms Parade.
Gaisford was the barbers, and it set me thinking
just how many males in Botley have had their hair
cut by one of the Gaisford family over the years.
My eldest brother Maurice (Moss) who took over
the shop in the early fifties, sadly died at the early
age of 59 and was succeeded by his son, my
nephew Ian, who likewise passed away from a
heart attack while out exercising on his bike (on
doctor’s orders!) That’s Moss on the right. My
three other brothers, Mutch (okay), Dennis and Keith all helped out,
especially on the busy weekends. Sadly all have passed away now.
Dennis, Mutch and Keith
I also added my two penn’orth, sweeping up the hair to get a free hair cut!
Keith worked in Summertown, but eventually left Oxford to open a shop
in Babbacombe in Devon. John Gaisford
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Nest Boxes in Raleigh Park 2018
Breeding birds have had another successful year in Raleigh Park.
I put up 16 nest boxes which were monitored this year, 12 of which
were occupied and 4 remained unused. We know that 47 blue tits
and 20 great tits fledged. This report does not cover birds nesting
in surrounding trees and bushes.
Four boxes that were used had clutches of chicks which died before
fledging. We know there are sparrow hawks in the area and
suspect that parent birds may have been predated.
We suspended an owl nesting box in one of the poplar trees but it
was too late to attract owls this year. There was also a wagtail box
added but, although we know it has been used, access was too
difficult to provide results and it has been re-sited. One or two other
nest boxes will be moved to more suitable positions and hopefully
not so many will be damaged by squirrels. I fitted protective plates
to several boxes and replaced some fronts after squirrel damage
before the 2018 season started.
I am very grateful to Milan Fencing for donating offcuts of timber
which were used to make the nest boxes.
Once again thanks go to Stephen Miller who has monitored the
boxes throughout the nesting season and is willing to do the same
in 2019.
All the Raleigh Park boxes have now been cleaned and prepared
for the next season and we hope for another successful year.
I also have nest boxes on Oxford Preservation Trust sites at
Wolvercote Lakes and the Elizabeth Daryush Memorial Garden at
Boars Hill (where there is also a bird feeding station) making over
50 in total. There is scope to provide lots more nest boxes on local
sites such as Chilswell Valley, but help would be needed to monitor
them, so any volunteers would be welcome. My contact number is
Oxford 241539.
Clive Smith
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The Warm Homes Discount
People who have difficulty paying their energy bills might be
able to take advantage of the Warm Home Discount, a new
kind of grant offered by the government and energy suppliers.
The Warm Home Discount is a scheme that provides people on
low incomes with a single discount of £140 on their winter electricity bill.
(You might be able to get the discount applied to your gas bill instead -
contact your supplier to find out.) The discount will not affect your Cold
Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.
Not all energy suppliers are part of the scheme. You can contact your
supplier to see if they offer the discount. (If the supplier doesn’t, you might
want to switch to a supplier that does.)
Most people who are eligible will receive the discount automatically,
without having to apply. This will be the case if, on 8 July 2018:
• They were with an energy supplier that is part of the scheme; and
• They were receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit;
and
• Their name (or their partner's name) was on the bill.
If you don't receive the discount automatically, you might be eligible if you
have a low income and receive certain means-tested benefits. Bear in
mind that energy suppliers could have different eligibility rules.
Applications for the discount open at different times for each supplier and
people who are not auto-enrolled need to apply as soon as possible to
improve their chances. Further details are available from
https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme.
Citizens Advice can help. Contact us in person during opening hours at
our offices in St Aldates, or on the telephone (Adviceline 03 444 111444).
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Meet Nat Merry
Nat Merry is head coach for the Oxford
Archers, the ‘Manchester United of the
archery world’, based at the rugby club
at the end of North Hinksey village.
When she started, the club president
was Nichola Simpson, who competed
internationally for over 20 years. Nat
joined the club after university, and
has been there ever since.
There are two main types of archery
bow: compound and recurve.
Recurve are the traditional-looking
bows used in the Olympics. They shoot 70 metres onto a target where
the gold is the size of a dinner plate. Compound bows, instead, have
cams at the top and bottom, which makes them faster and more accurate:
they are used for hunting and in the Commonwealth Games. They shoot
50 metres but the gold is the size of a tennis ball. So recurve is more a
physical challenge, and compound is more of a psychological challenge
because of the accuracy needed. Nichola was one of the pioneers of
compound bow archery in the UK, and that is what Nat shoots, as you
can see in the photo above.
There are also
other kinds of
bows,
including long
bows, bare
bows that
don’t have any
sights, and
Mongolian
bows. Nat
runs courses
to make
primitive bows like those used in the Viking era. They involve cutting a
young sapling of 2-3 inch diameter in half length-wise, and then using an
axe to cut away the curved half bit by bit until the wood starts to bend and
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feel like a spring in the hand. The top and bottom need to bend evenly,
else more wood gets shaved from the end that isn’t bending. Archery is
a very unbalanced sport, with one arm always pulling and the other
always pushing. Which arm pulls depends not on strength, but on the
dominant eye - the one that you use in a camera viewfinder. “You can’t
train the eye as easily as you can train the arm muscles,” says Nat.
Nat mostly teaches at the serious competitive level, from county level up
to the GB squad. The Oxford Archers have about 110 members, half
women and half men which is fairly unusual in the sport and is another of
Nichola’s legacies. Nat also coaches Oxford University, London
University and Nottingham University, plus other clubs and individuals.
She is away 1-2 nights per week, sleeping in her cosy van.
Nat was selected for England last year, and competed in the Home
Nations tournaments. But she needs to balance her own shooting with
the performance of her archers: if she spent too much time on perfecting
her own shooting, she wouldn’t have enough time to coach. Happily,
archery is a sport of experience, so people just keep getting better at it,:
at reading weather conditions, at knowing themselves, and coping with
the competitive environment. “Once you master the basics,” says Nat,
“the sport is about 90 percent mental. It’s all about persistence.”
By training, Nat is a historic buildings consultant. She writes reports
about the phasing of historic buildings: when various parts of the buildings
were constructed, how important each part is, and whether the parts can
be changed or not. She worked for the Diocese of Oxford (whose offices
were in North Hinksey) until three years ago, when she left to concentrate
on archery coaching full-time.
Nat and partner Kat own a wonderful two-year-old Norwegian Buhund,
Finn, who was second-best puppy in his class in Crufts and travels to
tournaments with them. Nat and Kat moved from Botley, where they had
lived for seven years, to Clanfield in 2014, where they have a
mini-smallholding. They grow vegetables in their garden and allotment,
raise chickens for eggs and meat, and manage a wood allotment. Nat
has just bought a forge so that she can make her own tools.
So when you next drive or cycle along the A34 and see the archery
targets set up at the rugby club, think of Nat, Kat, Finn, and how lucky we
are to have the Manchester United of the archery world in our parish.
Riki Therivel
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Friends of Raleigh Park
The highlight of the last
month was the Autumn
Adventure Day
organised by BBOWT’s
Ceri Cadwallader.
Fortunately we caught
the last warm day in
October. Some 30
children (with
accompanying parents
and grand parents)
spent an hour or more
going around the Park following a trail of activities which included a
swallow migration game, leaf creatures, nature reserve design, tree
identification and pond dipping. The enormous value of the newly
opened-up Park as a leisure resource for families was clear to all. Further
Activity Days are being planned for 2019.
The Oxford Preservation Trust has
awarded a Letter of Commendation
to Wild Oxford at Raleigh Park in the
2018 OPT Awards, recognising the
opening-up of the Park and its
enhancement of one of the classic
views over Oxford. The
Commendation read: The awards
panel were delighted that this
partnership between BBOWT,
Friends of Raleigh Park and Oxford
City Council had come together to
improve the enjoyment of this
important public green and open
space. Much loved by many, they
can now experience more of this
important dreaming spires view
which has been opened up. The
Friends’ AGM was held on 17
September, and heard reports on
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our expanding Wild Oxford activities. Our newly formed Butterfly Survey
Group conducted eight walks over a five-month period, and recorded over
400 sightings from 18 species. The Friends voted to join the newly formed
No Expressway Alliance, to support the efforts of BBOWT to avert the
ecological disaster of the planned route.
The last work party of the year will take place on December 1st, with
brash clearing and a bonfire. The now traditional Boxing Day Walk will
take place between 2.30 and 3.30 pm on 26 December, with mulled wine
and walks around the ever-changing open spaces of the Park. Following
our successful Butterfly Survey, there will be a Brown Hairstreak Butterfly
Egg Hunt on Saturday 19 January 2019 10:30am.
Information on all our activities will be found on the Friends of Raleigh
Park website www.raleighpark.org.uk. Wild Oxford news is on BBOWT’s
website https://www.bbowt.org.uk/wildlife/living-landscapes/wild-oxford.
Stephen Parkinson and David Brown
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LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS
P18/V2355/HH
Target Decision
Date (TDD) 12/11
Pool House Field End Harcourt
Hill. Alterations to ground & 1st
floor layout, erect balcony.
17 September
P18/V2486/HH
P18/V2522/DIS
TDD: 27/11,16/11
47 Raleigh Park Rd. New entrance
lobby to front and annex. Plus
summer house to the rear. Tree
Protection.
2 October &
5 October
P18/V2578/HH
TDD: 7 Dec
40 Hutchcomb Rd. Extension for
bedroom with en suite.
12 October
P18/V2510/FUL
TDD 14 Dec
20 Eynsham Rd. Replace existing
flats with 6 apartments in: 3 x 2
bed, 3 x 1 bed. Car and bike park
19 October
P18/V2602/HH
TDD: 14 Dec
16 Stanley Close. Replace existing
rear extension with new single-
storey.
19 October
P18/V2700/FUL
TDD: 31 Dec
22 Eynsham Rd. Demolish rear
extension & convert original
building 2 flats. Replace rear
extension with 3 x 2 bed houses all
with gardens & parking.
5 November
Comments by 29
November
P18/V2293/FUL
TDD: 1 Jan
82 Westminster Way. Demolish
fire damaged 3 bed house. Erect 6
flats, 4 x 2 bed & 2 x 1 bed.
6 November
Comments by 30
November
P18/V2772/PDH
TDD: 20 Dec
24 Stanley Close. Single storey
rear extension.
8 November
CHRISTMAS LIBRARY OPENING TIMES
Monday 24
th
December 9.30 – 1pm
Tuesday 25
th
December CLOSED
Wednesday 26
th
December CLOSED
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday – as normal
Monday 31
st
December 9.30 – 5pm
Tuesday 1st January CLOSED
Wednesday 2nd January CLOSED
Thursday 3rd January 9.30 – 5pm
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Brownies
Remember
As Remembrance
Day 2018 was such a
special date being 100
years since the end of
WWI and falling on the
actual Armistice Day,
we had already made
sure that we had
presented the Brownie
of The Year award to
our joint winners, as it
is the winner of that competition who gets to be our unit’s flag bearer. As
you know, this year it was a tie and so after a little practice the joint
winners decided which one was going to carry out which part of the
shared honour this year. Wiktoria chose to be the unit flag bearer for the
parade element, carefully negotiating low tree branches and Connie
would be the one to lower the flag for the two minute silence. The Bugler
was spot-on this year and Connie knew exactly what to do with the flag
and when, and made us proud. A few meetings beforehand, we had spent
an evening making intricate paper mosaic plaques for the display at the
Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock.
On Remembrance Day itself we were very pleased to again meet Ted,
our adopted veteran, and his family and this year after the service when
the crowds had thinned out we were able for the first time to lay crosses
on his behalf for his crew. Finding and reading the names and ages on
the headstones made the girls understand that Ted and his friends were
all young men in their early teens and twenties and not old men when
their plane crashed after dropping off liberated prisoners of war. They had
indeed not grown old as Ted had, but we will remember them.
As the Christmas build-up begins, by the time you read this we will have
already taken some very excited Brownies on the bus into Oxford to see
the panto “Dick Whittington and His Cat” at the Playhouse. This is starting
to become a seasonal habit and one which was greatly enjoyed last year.
“Oh no it wasn’t!” “Oh yes it was!” Lucy Howes
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Medical Practice Update
I would like to follow up the recent article submitted by Mrs Buckingham,
the chair of the Patient Group, as I felt my responses to her were
somewhat brief. I do apologise to the Patient Participation Group and to
our patients for the lack of information provided to you.
I have been informed that some patients are concerned that they do not
know who their own GP is, or what they look like. In response to this being
raised previously by patients at Kennington Health Centre we supplied
the PPG with photographs of the doctors and I believe a display was
made for Kennington Fresher’s Week. We have now produced a picture
frame with photos of all the doctors for each site and we are just waiting
for them to be put on the walls. There are also photographs on the
website. Of course if patients are unsure who their GP is, they can always
contact the surgery on 01865 248914 and ask.
The reception area at both sites was quite cramped and made it difficult
for patients to stand back from the desk and not overhear conversations
that were taking place. We wanted to address this at both sites by
refurbishing the entrance. We did this quickly at Botley as the partners
own the building and there were no constraints on us undertaking the
work. We put forward a proposal to do some work to improve the entrance
area in Kennington, to NHS Properties, who own the Kennington site. The
response we had from them was that as there was an issue with disabled
access at Kennington it was their responsibility to undertake the
improvements and that they would do this at the same time. Unfortunately
we are still waiting for progress on restructuring the entrance by NHS
Properties. We paid for the changes to the counter area as this was not
a structural change and we were able to do it without consent. We have
moved the repeat prescription request box further away from reception
so that patients do not need to stand at the counter to complete their
forms.
When we took over Kennington Health Centre we were unaware of the
issues with patients in the waiting room being able to hear what is said in
the consulting rooms around the waiting area. Clearly this is not
something that has happened in the last twelve months and we regret we
were not made aware of the problem when we took over the site. Shortly
after we took over we were told there were confidentiality issues with the
two rooms at the far end of the waiting room, and we have now had this
area soundproofed. Had we known about the phlebotomist’s room we
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would have done that work at the same time. We have put this
refurbishment into the Practice Development Plan and will get the work
done as soon as funds become available.
I am sorry that some patients feel that some of our staff do not show
kindness and compassion when dealing with them. We have regular staff
training on how to deal with conflict and managing difficult situations. We
are well aware that patients are not necessarily at their best when they
come to the doctors and perhaps are a bit more aggressive than they
would normally be. However, I have been on the receiving end of some
of the abuse that is directed at reception staff, as I sometimes help out
with cover and I do not find it acceptable that anyone should be sworn
and shouted at. It seems to me that there is a need for mutual respect,
and I have asked the Patient Group to help us improve the way we treat
each other.
If you are having problems with the repeat prescription service, please let
me know. We have a system in place that should enable patients to
receive their prescriptions within two working days of the request being
received at the practice. If this doesn’t happen I need to look into each
case to see why we have failed and
what processes need to be put in
place to prevent it happening again.
Please note that if you are
interested in being involved with
what is going on at the Practice, but
do not have time to attend the PPG
meetings, there is a Virtual Patient
Group which communicates by
email. If you would like to be part of
this group, email me at
carolinejones3@nhs.net
Please feel free to contact me if you
have any concerns. We are always
trying to improve the service we
provide and are happy to receive
constructive feedback.
Caroline Jones, Practice Manager,
Botley Medical Centre and Branch
Surgery Kennington Health Centre
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Randoms
WWCC Update
There is nothing significant to report on the West Way Shopping Centre
(aka Westway Place). Mace/SDC provide a monthly construction update.
WWCC and others are involved in dealing with issues as they arise.
Thanks for providing us with space in recent years. We'll put in a report
as soon as anything happens which we need to bring to public attention.
Mary Gill, On behalf of West Way Community Concern
Oxford Christmas Lunch
If you would like to help out on the day, or have items to donate, please
contact the organisers via sara@oxfordchristmaslunch.org. They
particularly need minibus drivers, entertainers and sweets/treats/mince
pies! The Oxford Food Bank will be supporting this great day by providing
barrowloads of surplus food. https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/…/17230549.
volunteers-needed-…/
Demolition Pics
Thank you, Mark Clay of Arthray Road, for sending this handsome linocut
of the demolition of Botley Baptist Church
42
Christmas Church Services
Anglican Parish of North Hinksey
St Lawrence Church, North Hinksey Lane
Sunday 16 December 3.30 pm Traditional Carols by Candlelight
Christmas Eve 11.30 pm Midnight Mass
Christmas Day 11.30 am Holy Communion
SS Peter Paul Church, West Way, Botley
Christmas Eve 4.30 pm Christingle Service
Christmas Day 9.30 am Holy Communion for all the family
North Hinksey Catholic Parish, Oxford
Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Yarnell’s Hill
Sunday 23 December 9.15 am Mass
Christmas Eve 5.30 pm Children’s Nativity Play
Vigil Mass of Christmas
Christmas Day 9.15 am Sung Mass
St Stephen’s Day/Boxing Day 10.00am Sung Mass
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Organizations: If your organization is not listed here, please send details to
editor@thesprout.org.uk or telephone 724452 for inclusion.
1st Botley Brownies
Girls aged 7–10
2nd Botley Brownies
Girls aged 7–10
4th Oxford Scout Group
Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts
15th Oxford Scout Group
Boys and girls welcome
Baby & Toddler Group
Badminton Club
Books on Wheels R.V.S.
Botley Boys & Girls F.C.
Football teams from ages 8-16
Botley Health Walks
Botley Library
Botley Singers
Branches Café, Westway
Place, Open to All 8am-3pm,
Community Fridge
Cumnor Choral Society
Cumnor Chess Club
Cumnor & District Historical
Society
Cumnor Gardening Club
Harmony InSpires, Ladies'
Acappella Singing Group
Hill End Volunteer Team
Let’s Sing! – singing group
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Morris Dancing – Cry Havoc
Mum and Baby Yoga for
babies from 6 wks to crawling
North Hinksey Preschool
and Childcare Clubs
N Hinksey Art Group
N Hinksey Bellringers
N Hinksey Conservation
Volunteers
N Hinksey, Friends of
N Hinksey Horticultural Soc
N Hinksey Parish Council
N Hinksey Youth Club
Over Sixties Lunch Club
Oxford Otters
Oxford Rugby Club
Oxford Sports Lawn Tennis
Club, N Hinksey
Parkinson’s Disease Soc
Raleigh Park, Friends of
West Way Day Centre
Saturdads
Botley Bridges
Seacourt Hall management
committee
Shotokan Karate club
Weight Watchers
West Oxford Bowls Club
West Oxford Taekwon Do
Club
West Oxford U3A
Women’s Institute (Botley)
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Halls for Hire
Botley Baptist Hall
Westminster Way
Contact: Rev Kalyan Das
Tel. 07841 867967
The Rosary Room
Yarnells Hill, OXFORD
Contact Maria Brown,
Tel: 01865 247986.
SS Peter & Paul Church
Hall, West Way, Botley
Contact: Mr M Shearan
Tel: 862748
Women's Institute Hall,
North Hinksey Lane
Contact: Val Warner
Tel. 245273
Seacourt Hall, West Way
Place, Botley
Contact: Eric Batts 07452 960100 or
seacourt.hall@gmail.com
Pavilion, Arnold’s Way,
Elms Rise, Botley
Contact: Emmett Casley 427519
emmett@kerensagardens.co.uk
Oxford Rugby Club, North
Hinksey Village
Contact: Mary Bagnall
mary.bagnall1@btinternet.com.
North Hinksey & Botley Churches
Times of Services and Contacts
St. Lawrence, Church of England, North Hinksey Lane
1st, 2nd, 4th Sunday, Sung Eucharist 11.30 a.m.
3rd Sunday, Matins 11.30 am
St. Peter and St. Paul, Church of England, West Way
2nd Saturday each Month, 4–6pm Messy Church for children and their carers
1st Sunday of the Month, 9.30am All Age service of Holy Communion
All other Sundays, 9.30am Holy Communion with activities for children
Every Wednesday, 10.30am Holy Communion at Field House
Rev Clare Sykes, Rector Tel: 242345 or revclare@btinternet.com
Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Roman Catholic, Yarnells Hill
Saturday 6.30 pm. Mass
Sunday 9.15 am Mass
Fr Daniel Lloyd. 07584 323915 dlloyd@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.
Botley Baptist Church, West Way Place
Sunday Service 10.30 am.
Mid Week House Group 8.00 p.m.
Family Worship Service 5-6pm on Saturday
Rev Kalyan Das 07841 867 967 www.botleybaptistchurch.org
Calvary Chapel
Sunday services held at Botley School 10.30–12 noon
Pastor Philip Vickery 01865 864498
calvarychapeloxford@yahoo.co.uk; www.calvarychapeloxford.org.uk
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What’s On
December
Sat 1st Branches Café: Christmas Cheer Menu available
Sat 1st 10–2 pm St Lawrence Christmas Fayre in the Church Hall,
SS Peter Paul Church
Tues 4th 11–11.30 am, Botley Library. Rhymetime fun session for
babies, toddlers and their families
Fri 7th Community Singing and a Cuppa 2–3 pm in the Chapel of
the Holy Spirit, SS Peter Paul Church. All welcome
Sat 8th Messy Church at SS Peter Paul Church 4–6 pm
Sun 9th The Deaf Church service with Steven, Bishop of Oxford,
3.00pm at SS Peter Paul Church. All welcome
Tues 18th 11–11.30am, Botley Library. Rhymetime fun
Thur 20th Branches Café Christmas Party (age 12–17) 7–9 pm. Free
entry for members, or £2 for non-members
Thur 20th 8pm, Seacourt Hall, Parish Council meeting
Wed 26th 2.30–3.30 pm, Raleigh Park, Boxing Day Walk
January
Fri 4th 2–3pm in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, SS Peter Paul
Church, Community Singing and a Cuppa. All welcome
Tues 8th 11–11.30am, Botley Library. Rhymetime fun
Sat 12th 4–6pm, Messy Church at SS Peter Paul
Sun 20th 10.30am Baptist Chapel (above Co-op), Ecumenical Service
for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Tues 22nd 11–11.30am, Botley Library. Rhymetime fun
February
Thur 21st BBOWT Adventure Day in Raleigh Park